The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-01
THE NATIONAL DRILL.
A PEN PICTURE OF THE BOYS
ENCAMPED.
An Explanation OF the Action Of
the Yicksburg S0uthrOns and
Memphis ZOuayes
IN DROPPING OUT OF THE DRESS
PARADE WEDNESDAY.
Cur Boys the "Pets" OF the Town
Their Splendid Showing In
the Drill.
IconnuspoSpEron or run APPEAL. /

(coRRRsPoNDEHoR OF THE APPHAL.I
BUREAU OF THE MEMPHIS APrEAL,
No. 5l4 THIRTEENTH STREET, WASH.
INoToN, May 28.-This week has been
o lively one In the history OF the ma.
tional capital. Soldiers and men In
uniform have been everywhere, and
the streets have consequently pre-.
scented scenes full OF c1lor and anima-
ton. Pretty nearly every shade
known to the dyer's art and every
style OF uniform known to the tailor
were represented In the national en-
campment. Notwithstanding this
brave array the drill can hardly be
called an unqualified success. In the
first place, there did not seem TO be
any recognised head to the encsmp.
ment. There were several good look.
ing and Handsomely uniformed eff
GERS always on duty at headquarters,
but they seemed to be there only for
show--that is to say, II anyone ap
piled to them for information they in.
variably failed TO get 1t. Then there
was q good deal OF unnecessary delay
in the distribution OF orders, some OF
the troops, for instance, receiving
their notification to enter dress parade
within q half hour Of the time for
starting. There WAS no particular or
der preserved In camp, esch company
commander doing entirely as he
pleased In regard to IL o movements OF
his men, with the exception, OF
course, Of the hat hour whom they
we're in the competitive drill, Conse-
quently at night the camp was n
scene OF uproaiious hilarity, and the
f ling Of guns, the ehoutH and laughter
of eeveral thousand men and the beat
ing OF inuumerabls drums made n
perfect pandemonlum Of the place.
There were not relrly as many men
in camp az some Of the troops had
been led to expect. Altogether there
were not more than 800 men en-.
camped, when at least double and
probably three times that number bad
been expected. The unfortunate rails
irg OF the colored question kept many
of the crack Southern companies
awsy. Pennsylvania and New York
both have State encampmente this
year, 30 that they did not care TO un
derRo the extra expense cf attending
this encam gment as we'll as their own
These things combined prevented the
affair from being 30 successful from 4
military point OF view as IL otherwise
might have been. An unfortunate
week in regard 10 the VITA her pre-
vented 1t from being rs great success
from a financial standpoint as WAS an
ticipsted, Ave days out OF tho last sll
having been married by rain. Tit
high expectations that were TaiseC
have all in conse quence been disap
pointed.
Taking The camp rs II is, however
the promoters have reason to con
Oratulate themselves upon the fac
that IL is altogether much better thar
any previous one. The competitive
drills have been entirely successful
some of.them being msrvels Of aocu
racy and precision. The men hsv
without exception enjoyed themse've
immensely, and there is no doubt tina
those who were successful will get tn
prizes which were offered in their re
specive competitions,
Throughout the week the camp ha
been the center OF attraction, an,
crowds Of sight seeIs have inies ed
at all hours OF the day. The varie
ecenes around the camp made 1t a
interesting place to visit. Prepari
tons for the competitive drills begs
early, the companies who were I
compete spending the morning hour
in cleaning their uniforms aud arm
On all sides there WAS hustle and 81
tiyity. The "pretty glrls," alwaye a
tracted by a uniform, bega
10 come in; the uhiquitor
peanut vendors and the "ice col
lemonade" men on the outskirts {
the camp wheeled their stocks Of ca
ables aud drinkables into position an
dispensed them to the already thirst
crowds; and wagons loaded dow
with food for the ever hungry soldier
iolted over the roads Into camp. Whe
not on duty or preparing for the
competition the soldiers took thin
very easy ia camp. The heavy an
uncomfortable full dress uniform Goa
were replaced by fatigue uniform
and some were sahshed to 90 ia the
shirt sleeves. Many could be seen 81
ting Ia groups under the be1util
shade trees reading the papers or IL
fers from home, jme esc2ring ladi
about the camp, and others trelCh,
out st iull length on the grass EMO
inc fragrant ppe, or cndeavoring
obesin little rest by . comiortsb
snocza. The latter was ditIioult to a
comnlish and none tiled FIR 81
length OF time for there was too nut
going on and there was q eontlru
6abel OF voices. Some OF the boy
ready for fun, got hold Of q big pie